Inline terminal, hub and distribution system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an inline terminal, hub and distribution system. It comprises the steps of: transporting ( 102 ) a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center; emptying ( 104 ) the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock; sorting ( 106 ) the contents of the container; loading ( 108 ) an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting ( 110 ) the outbound container to a track side location; loading ( 112 ) the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to transportation and logistics systems, and more particularly to an Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Freight transport continues to grow at a rapid pace, especially in the heavy-rail sector. Severe bottlenecks are seen in existing rail transfer terminals, which result in freight delays. Most such terminals have little or no right-of-way available for terminal expansion. Inefficiencies associated with moving containers from terminal to terminal by truck, to transfer between long-distance rail carriers (corridors), introduce significant delays, costs and inefficiencies. Further, truck activity on urban and suburban freeways cause increased fuel consumption and pollution emissions.

In connection with transportation logistics, market forces are driving the development of new technologies to improve the efficiency of freight transfer operations at rail terminals. A rail ThruPort, which is analogous to an airports, refers to a rail facility where Class I railroads will be able to dock and exchange freight with a high degree of automation. This transfer method can increase freight transfer efficiency. Additionally, ThruPorts can help to significantly reduce on road truck traffic associated with the current practice of moving containers, typically across town, from terminal to terminal, to make a corridor transfer from the east to the west, for example. As used herein, ThruPort refers to an efficient operational solution in connection with a rail facility, whereby an overhead crane can be used to shuffle containers from train to train in a single step.

In connection with transportation logistics, there is a need for the development of new technologies to improve the efficiency of freight transfer operations at rail terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System in FIG. 2, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is a portion of a plan view of a second embodiment of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 5 is the other portion of a plan view of the second embodiment of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System, in accordance with the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In its simplest form, an Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution system and process flow diagram 100 is shown (hereafter referred to interchangeably as Inline Terminal, Inline System and/or Hub and Distribution System). Referring to FIG. 1, the system comprises the steps of: transporting 102 (hereafter the transporting or first transporting step 102) a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center; emptying 104 (emptying step 104) the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock; sorting 106 (sorting step 106) the contents of the container; loading 108 (loading step 108) an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting 110 (transporting or second transporting step 110) the outbound container to a track side location; loading 112 (loading or second loading step 112) the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location. The system provides improved utilization of the available space and improved efficiency for loading and unloading of trains resulting in substantial savings in distribution and handling costs, in turn enabling rail and trucking transportation costs to be more cost competitive.

The term “container” as used herein has its common ordinary meaning, and can include any type of container, such as an ISO container, domestic container, semi-trailer, enclosure, trailer and the like, as understood by those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, ISO and domestic containers with conventional corner castings work well in this system.

The “Strip Mall” design, concept and layout provides an efficient design layout, whereby all the necessary buildings, storage, roadways, traffic flows, track placements, offices, parking and the like, are strategically placed for simplified operations and minimal unnecessary movement of containers, while striking a balance with the available real estate, as should be understood by those skilled in the art. The terminal can be owned, for example, by one entity or a number of different entities, to minimize or share operational costs and maximize efficient transportation logistics, as will be more fully appreciated from a review of the drawings and the description in this application.

The Inline Terminal or “Throughport” concept and design provides a seamless flow of cargo that requires less real estate and storage area for storing trailers and containers. An important factor relative to the Inline Terminal is that it can help to reduce handling of cargo. The Inline Terminal design is flexible in that the trackside operation can be changed in a matter of minutes to accommodate new requirements or unforeseen events (trackside ramp operations unloading and loading in and outbound trains with cargo which are stored in containers and trailers), for example.

The Inline Terminal concept also includes an integrated distribution hub center with a strip-mall configuration located on a rail intermodel property directly adjacent to a ramp operation for receiving or shipping cargo by rail in lieu of truck trailers. It also accommodates truck line carriers located on the rail premises for the purpose of utilizing the rail shipment of freight in trailers in lieu of using the highway, which will reduce the truck line operating costs, congestion on the highway, fuel consumption and poisonous gases into the atmosphere.

The Inline Terminal or through port lay out can operate all necessary functions inline (parallel to the tracks), and controls most necessary functions under an overhead crane for its operation, for inbound and outbound cargo, including temporary storage of containers at 142 with cargo, under the crane. A “strip mall” is adjacent and substantially parallel with the inline ramp operation and is typically substantially rectangular, or can be approximately 1200 ft wide by 800 ft to 2 miles long depending on anticipated volume of traffic, and is designed to be adaptable and flexible enough to expand the operating procedures depending on the anticipated volume.

The Inline Terminal design can include 15 to 20 tracks under an overhead crane with typically one or two grapplers to load and unload cargo from the tracks beneath the crane. Some of the tracks can be dedicated to certain railroad lines, such as Santa Fee, Union Pacific, Conrail, Norfolk and CSX, for example. Thus, various concourses such as tracks a and b, could be concourse one, tracks c and d could correspond to concourse two, tracks e and f could be concourse three and so forth, and in turn each concourse could relate to an individual railroad line and/or corridor. As will be appreciated, a grappler can simply pick up one to three containers from a rail car on one track (on an east corridor) and move them to a different rail car on a different track (on a different corridor, say a south corridor), on rail cars owned by the same or different railroad lines.

The terminal manager has the ability to accommodate any change in his operating volume by changing the design of the ramp operation to any trackside configuration whenever it is deemed necessary to maintain the desired flow of cargo in a matter of minutes. Changing the ramp trackside operation can be done any time of day in the event of the following:

-   -   Derailment on the main line     -   Equipment down (not operating)     -   Late inbound or outbound trains, relating to arrival and         departure     -   Customer not picking up trailer or container within 24 hours         causing undesirable congestion (terminal manager can use storage         under crane without interfering with normal operation)     -   Late arrival of high volume customers (40 trailers or more),         customers notify terminal manager that freight will be up to 3         hrs late, terminal manager can pre-block rail cars prior to         freight arriving     -   Mainline down or derailed, all inbound rail traffic will be late         until main line is operating, all traffic will be blocked to         enter terminal, however, with the inline terminal design, all         traffic can be directed under crane when each train arrives     -   All outbound cargo can be accommodated as soon as each railroad         car is unloaded     -   Distributor hubs can ship direct to its final destination         without interchange     -   Shortage of rail cars at trackside can now be pre-blocked,         trailers or containers can be ready to load at trackside when         railroad cars arrive at terminal     -   Extra rail cars can be shipped or stored under crane     -   Rail interchange can be transferred from one corridor to another         under the crane in a matter of minutes instead of days     -   No chassis required     -   Movement of containers or trailers to a remote storage area is         not required.

The terminal manager has a multiplicity of different operations to select from, depending on the circumstances, whether it be a late arrival, outbound, an unexpected influx of cargo volume, derailment, etc. Also, the terminal manager can setup his ramp operations to a two to one, four to one, or six or eight to one track layout unloading on one side of the track leaving the unloaded trailers or containers ready for pickup at trackside and loading outbound trailers or containers on other side of the tracks.

The total requirement for real estate including all roadways, storage area, gate entry and exits, strip malls and ramp operations can vary widely, and typically can be from 800 ft long to 2 miles long and 1200 ft wide depending on volume. The Inline System can be designed with a 1200 ft wide configuration to encourage other railroad carriers who are required to transfer interchange to another corridor other than their own and now can be located as neighbors adjacent to one another to simplify interchange and the flow of traffic and still be able to operate independently from the other carriers that are all within a close proximity on the same real estate plot of land.

Conventional known terminals that are in existence today do no have any or all of the outlined advantages described herein.

The first transporting step 102, can include: entering a hub and distribution center comprising a substantially contiguous site including a plurality of train rails and a distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; and checking in to obtain instructions, directions, permissions, the rules of the facility and the like.

In more detail, the transporting step 102 can include: providing at least one inbound dock and at least one outbound dock on a same side or different side of the distribution warehouse; and allowing the inbound and outbound docks to be used interchangeably.

In a preferred embodiment, the terminal includes entering a terminal with a substantially centrally located entrance for the truck operator, to provide a logical, required and intuitive traffic flow in the terminal. Advantageously, this provides for ease of movement, simplicity in traffic flow and monitoring, and an intuitive roadway (simplified logistics), to allow such truck operators to check in, if needed, and enter and exit in the most efficient manner possible.

The sorting step 106 can include at least one of: moving at least some of the container contents (or cargo) to temporary storage for later loading; and loading at least some of the contents into an outbound container.

In a preferred embodiment, the sorting step 106 includes: inspecting the contents to confirm that it is not damaged; inventorying the inbound container; and documenting the results of the inspecting and inventorying steps.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transporting step 110 includes positioning and aligning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and adjacent to the rail tracks by using a tractor trailer.

In more detail, the second loading step 112 can include: lifting a container in a substantially vertical and horizontal direction; transporting the container in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the rail tracks; and lowering the container in a substantially vertical direction onto a railroad car, in a substantially unitary step by use of a crane.

In one embodiment, the crane includes a straddle lift type crane, for example, a Translift type crane, available from MiJack Products, Inc. in Hazel Crest, Ill., for improved efficiency in loading and unloading operations.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inline terminal, hub and distribution system 100. In more detail, a preferred hub and distribution system 100 (from ground to rail), includes: a tractor truck 120 for transporting an inbound container 122; a hub and distribution center 124 being a substantially contiguous plot of land having an entrance 126 and an exit 128, including a plurality of train rails 130 and a distribution warehouse 132 in proximity to the train rails 130; the distribution warehouse 132 including an inbound dock 134 for emptying and sorting the cargo of the inbound container 122 in proximity to the inbound dock 134 and an outbound dock 136, wherein at least some of the cargo is moved to temporary storage facilities and at least some is moved into an outbound container 138; a second tractor truck 140 for transporting the outbound containers 38 to a track side locations 42, preferably immediately adjacent and parallel to the train rails; and a crane 144 for loading the outbound container 138 onto a railroad car 146 for transportation to a desired location.

The inline terminal, hub and distribution center 124 includes a check in office 148 for providing at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules to truck drivers and operators for improved efficiency.

The track side location 142, as shown in FIG. 3, provides a temporary storage location, for an inbound or outbound container 122 and 138, for more efficient operations.

In a preferred embodiment, the distribution warehouse 132 includes means for sorting the cargo of the inbound container, manually or automatically with a fork lift, for example, including at least one of: means for inspecting the cargo, visually, by use of cameras, and the like; means for inventorying the inbound container, with bare code scanning, RF identification and the like; and means for documenting the results of the inspection and inventory, by means of a computing or the like device.

The first and second tractor trucks are the same or different tractor trucks with the same or different operators.

In a preferred application, the crane includes a straddle lift crane and the hub and distribution center comprises a generally long and narrow plot of land for improved utilization of the available space and improved efficiency for loading and unloading of trains.

In one embodiment, the inline terminal, hub and distribution system provides a high density and narrow-profile continuous plot (or substantially contiguous site) of land substantially adjacent and parallel to railroad tracks. The system provides improved utilization of the available space and improved efficiency for loading and unloading of trains.

The inline terminal, hub and distribution center can be a secure area, which can be enclosed with a fence and have at least one or more security gates.

The docks are constructed to provide a structure to facilitate loading and unloading of containers.

The inline terminal, hub and distribution center is designed to allow all personnel, that is, the control station and check in personnel, truck operators, crane operators, engineers, loaders, devaning (unloading) personnel and the like to work together as a team, to provide an efficient team effort and process. It is desirable to have a smooth, steady and efficient flow of trains and tractor tractors in and out of the facility.

Additionally, operators and security personnel are able to communicate with each other, using cellphones, transceivers, and the like for improved efficiencies of the operations. Thus, the various operators can communicate and/or control various equipment via land lines or wirelessly, as appropriate.

In a preferred embodiment, outdoor storage facilities for containers, positioned near the tracks are used, for improved space utilization of the available real estate.

In a preferred embodiment, straddle lift type cranes, known as Translifts, provide an efficient and unitary means of moving, picking and placing the containers on and off railcars, tractor trailers and the like.

It is contemplated, for example, that the unloading step can include a “just-in-time” option, comprising unloading a first container directly from the train car to a tractor trailer or vice versa (rail or street inbound), free of a storage step. This could be desirable if a container is needed right away and thus allows for expedited unloading.

The inline terminal, hub and distribution center can include storage areas on opposite sides of the track, for improved space utilization.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, unloading can include unloading more than one container from the train car substantially simultaneously or at the same time, for improved efficiency.

As shown in the figures, several cranes can be used to load and unload in this operation. For example, Translift cranes typically have two grapplers on a single crane. One grappler picks up a container out of a double stack railcar and creates an empty double stack car for the second grappler to deposit two containers for interchange on the same double stack car. Stated another way, one grappler creates an empty double stack car and the other deposits one or more containers on the same car. In a preferred embodiment, using two grapplers on a single crane, is a highly efficient method of interchange. For example, if containers on a west corridor (tracks) must be transferred to an east corridor (different tracks), or vice versa, two grapplers working in harmony can significantly simplify and reduce the interchange cycle time.

As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, having a plurality of cranes working in harmony, can provide a more efficient operation and reduces cycle time.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a “strip mall” type warehouse hub and distribution center is shown, which is integrated into the overall inline system. In a preferred embodiment, it typically includes the following:

-   -   1. Employee parking     -   2. A four lane road to accommodate deliveries for inbound         freight from rail to exit streets or from the street to rail.     -   3. A parking area for inbound freight or containers from the         street delivered to inbound receiving doors or loading docks.     -   4. Inbound trailers or containers are parked at loading docks or         overhead doors.     -   5. Warehouse hub distribution center, which can vary widely,         such as from 50,000 to 500,000 square feet, for example.     -   6. Outbound trailers ready to be shipped by rail intermodal to         be loaded on its designated corridor and shipped to its final         destination area without an interchange     -   7. Four-lane road to accommodate inbound and outbound freight to         and from the warehouse.     -   8. Straddle type crane with multiple grapplers are designed to         load and unload trailers and containers for intermodal ramp         operation.     -   9. Stackpack overhead type crane 250 feet wide, equipped with         two grapplers straddling fifteen tracks including six corridors.         All tracks under the overhead Stackpacker crane are numbered on         the top beam, equipped with red flashing lights indicating on         which track the blue flag is removed.     -   10. Four-lane road to accommodate overhead ramp operation for         loading and unloading trailers and containers.     -   11. Storage area for empty chassis and trailers.     -   12. Run around track or balloon track that operates the         circumference of the terminal.     -   13. Run through lane for inbound freight approximately every six         hundred feet.     -   14. Two hundred thousand square foot warehouse hub center with         receiving and shipping facing rail intermodal, which is an         optional design.     -   15. Outbound trailers     -   16. Inbound trailers     -   17. Empty chassis     -   18. Empty trailer     -   19. Employee's parking in rear of warehouse.     -   20. Blue flag controllable by the tower's rail line controller.         When the blue flag is removed, red lights go on flashing and         crossover gates automatically come down. The bell rings and the         redlight flashes.     -   21. Crossover gate     -   22. Optional crossover by disconnecting all purpose rail cars by         approximately thirty feet.     -   23. If and when this crossover is utilized, there will be a         crossover automatic gate that will come down when the blue flag         is removed.     -   24. Warehouse employees are typically provided keyless entry to         enter and exit the terminal.     -   25. All truck drivers and locomotive engineers will typically         switch to the towers frequency when entering and exiting the         terminal.     -   26. Roadway     -   27. Operator tower typically forty by forty by fifty feet high.     -   28. Temporary trailer freight storage area.

Notes for embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3:

Fifteen train rails are configured under the overhead crane. It has the capability of providing six dedicated corridors for all class 1 railroads, two for one design for intermodal ramp operation.

All track centers are sixteen feet wide, with a paved ground level to track. Advantageously, at sixteen feet centers, it allows enough room between rail cars to drive a Grunt (small pick up like-truck, with a high platform), to remove or install IBCs (interbox connectors). The platform is at a predetermed level, to allow a person to be at the correct level or height of a corner casting of a container, to install or remove IBCs easily.

A terminal manager has the capability to configure the ramp operation depending on the volume at the terminal.

This terminal layout illustrates the purpose of accommodating truck line carriers and warehouse hub centers, similar to single company centers, such as Walmart, who market general merchandise and who have their hub centers located on rail premises.

The amount of warehousing and layout depends on the available real estate and needs or application.

The numbers above the crane illustrate the track number. Above each number on the crane there is a light which indicates the status of the blue flag, in a preferred embodiment.

Detailed below is an intermodal facility feature identification chart, for the inline terminal, hub and distribution center embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

-   1. Facility service area and employees parking -   2. Four-lane road to accommodate deliveries for inbound freight from     rail and exit streets. -   3. Parking area for inbound freight delivered to inbound receiving     overhead doors. -   4. Inbound trailers parked at overhead receiving doors for     unloading. -   5. Warehouse hub distribution center, typically fifty thousand to     five hundred thousand square feet. -   6. Outbound trailers ready to ship by rail intermodal to be loaded     on the desired or designated corridor and shipped direct to final     designation, preferably without the need for an additional     interchange. -   7. Four-lane road to accommodate inbound and outbound freight to and     from the warehouse hub center. -   8. Specially designed grappler to load and unload trailers and     containers for intermodal ramp operation. -   9. Overhead crane equipped with two grapplers straddling five     tracks. -   10. Four-lane road to accommodate overhead ramp operation for     loading and unloading trailers and containers. -   11. Storage area for empty chassis and trailers. -   12. Run around track or balloon track provided around the     circumference of the terminal. -   13. Run through lane for inbound freight. -   14. Two hundred thousand square foot warehouse hub center with     receiving and shipping facing rail intermodal area, is shown in this     embodiment. -   15. Outbound trailers -   16. Inbound trailers -   17. Empty chassis -   18. Empty trailer -   19. Employee parking in rear of warehouse. -   20. Blue flag can be controlled by the tower's rail line controller.     When the blue flag is removed, red lights flash and the crossover     gates automatically close or are lowered. The bell rings and the red     light flashes. -   21. Rail crossover gate -   22. Rail crossing for inbound and outbound trailers and containers. -   23. Entrance to intermodal facility to Summit Street. -   24. Exit from intermodal facility to Summit Street. -   25. Under-pass for trailer and container traffic. -   26. Pier designation -   27. Control tower

Detailed below are additional notes regarding the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Cranes do not run under the bridge, but do operate on either side of the bridge. This note is provided in one design to be thorough in the drawings. The terminal is located below an expressway, and the bridge has little relevance to the instant invention.

Warehousing, number of tracks and cranes are shown for illustration purposes only. As should be understood by those skilled in the art, size, location and quantity may vary widely depending on the available real estate, budget, application, etc.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the Inline Terminal, Hub and Distribution System, in accordance with the instant invention. In more detail, the system 100 includes separate individual hub and distribution systems 152, 154, 156 and 158. Each has some or all of the structure and process steps previously discussed, with respect to the other embodiments. Each system has a central roadway for entering each in a substantially central location, for improved traffic flows and traffic logistics, as discussed earlier in more detail. Again, this embodiment is strategically designed and configured with various competing constraints in mind, such as each system's individual requirements, budget and available real estate.

As should be understood by those skilled in the art, there are numerous embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as rearrangements and combinations of the preceding embodiments, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope on the instant invention. 

1. An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, comprising the steps of: transporting a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center; emptying the contents of the container in proximity to the inbound dock; sorting the contents of the container; loading an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting the outbound container to a track side location; loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein prior to the transporting step, including at least one step of: entering an inline terminal, hub and distribution center at a substantially central location; providing a contiguous site including a plurality of train rails and at least one distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; and checking in to obtain at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules of the hub and distribution center.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the transporting step includes: providing at least one inbound dock and at least one outbound dock on a same side or different side of the distribution warehouse; and allowing the inbound and outbound docks to be used interchangeably.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sorting step includes at least one of: moving at least some of the container contents to temporary storage for later loading; and loading at least some of the contents into an outbound container.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sorting step includes at least one of: inspecting the contents to confirm that it is not damaged; and inventorying the inbound container.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sorting step includes at least one of: inspecting the contents to confirm that it is not damaged; inventorying the inbound container; and documenting the results of the inspecting and inventorying steps.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the transporting step includes positioning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and substantially adjacent to the train rails.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the transporting step includes positioning and aligning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and adjacent to the rail tracks by using a tractor trailer.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the loading step includes: lifting a container in a substantially vertical direction; transporting the container in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the rail tracks; and lowering the container in a substantially vertical direction onto a railroad car.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the loading step includes: lifting a container in a substantially vertical direction; transporting the container in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the rail tracks; and lowering the container in a substantially vertical direction onto a railroad car, in a substantially unitary step by use of a crane.
 11. An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, comprising the steps of: transporting a container to an inbound dock of a distribution center including at least one of: entering an inline terminal, hub and distribution center in proximity to a substantially central location; providing a contiguous site including a plurality of train rails and at least one distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; and checking in to obtain at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules of the hub and distribution center; emptying and sorting the contents of the inbound container in proximity to the inbound dock comprising inspecting and inventorying the contents of the inbound container; loading an outbound container at an outbound dock of the distribution center; transporting the outbound container to a track side location; loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the sorting step includes at least one of: moving at least some of the container contents to temporary storage; and loading at least some of the contents into an outbound container.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the sorting step includes at least one of: inspecting the contents of the inbound container to confirm that it is not damaged; inventorying the inbound container; and documenting the results of the inspecting and inventorying steps.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the transporting step includes positioning and aligning the outbound container in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to and adjacent to the rail tracks.
 15. An inline terminal, hub and distribution system, including: a tractor truck for transporting a container; an inline terminal, hub and distribution center being a substantially contiguous plot of land having an entrance and an exit, including a plurality of train rails and a distribution warehouse in proximity to the train rails; the distribution warehouse including an inbound dock for emptying and sorting the cargo of the inbound container in proximity to the inbound dock and an outbound dock, wherein at least some of the cargo is moved to temporary storage facilities and at least some is moved into an outbound container; a second tractor truck for transporting the outbound container to a track side location; and a crane for loading the outbound container onto a railroad car for transportation to a desired location.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the inline terminal, hub and distribution center includes at least one of: a roadway for the first tractor truck with a container to enter at a substantially central location on the contiguous plot of land; a check in office for providing at least one or more of instructions, directions, permissions and rules; and a strip mall.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the distribution warehouse includes means for sorting the cargo of the inbound container, including at least one of: means for inspecting the cargo; means for inventorying the inbound container; and means for documenting the results of the inspection and inventory.
 18. The system of claim 15 wherein the first and second tractor trucks are one or more tractor trucks.
 19. The system of claim 15 wherein the crane includes a straddle lift crane.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the inline terminal, hub and distribution center comprises a generally long and narrow plot of land and a strip mall. 